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Stamford Parks and Recreation
About Stamford Parks and Recreation
It is the mission of the Stamford Parks & Recreation Services to create and offer comprehensive and inclusive leisure opportunities and experiences for the youth and adult population of Stamford. We strive to build a strong sense of community, increase the social, cultural, enrichment and wellbeing for all through our programs, parks, facilities and more!

Upcoming Events!

Stay and Play Preschool Program for Ages 3 &4 2026 - 2027
Open House Dates
Wednesday October 15 - 10am -11am
Monday October 27- 6:30PM-7:30pm
Recreation Star Center, 1170 Shippan Ave
September 2026 – June 2027 (Following Stamford Public School Calendar)
Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday - 3-year-old program – Sess. 01
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday – 4-year-old program – Sess. 02
Time: 9:15AM – 12:15PM
$4,400.00 per year ( 3-Year-olds / 3 times per week ) Can be paid in 4 payments of $1,1100.00
$5,700.00 per year ( 4-year-olds / 4 times per week ) Can be paid in 4 payments of $1,425.00
A $500.00 Non - refundable deposit is due at the time of registration & the deposit will be deducted from your final payment. Registration is open until the program fills and begins on December 1, 2025 at the recreation office.
Instructors: Beth Covino, Preschool Instructor & Victoria Eldridge, Preschool Instructor
Our exciting preschool program specifically designed for 3- and 4-year old's. Children will gain independence and self-confidence in our play-based approach to early learning focused on socialization and cooperation. This hands on, active environment will encourage exploration and discovery. Activities will include creative expression, dramatic play, music and movement, large and small motor activities, early literacy, sensory activities, math readiness and outdoor play. We also offer a “Lunch Bunch” option for students two days a week that will extend the school day until 1:30pm on those assigned days. Families will be required to sign up on a monthly basis and pay in advance. This will begin in October 2026 and run through June 2027 for the four-year-old program. The Lunch bunch will also be available to the three year olds starting in January of 2027. To schedule a visit call 203-977-5018 or @Skassouf@stamfordct.gov All students registering for the program must be 3 years old by October 1, 2026 to be eligible for the program but may be flexible!
Wednesday October 15 - 10am -11am
Monday October 27- 6:30PM-7:30pm
Recreation Star Center, 1170 Shippan Ave
September 2026 – June 2027 (Following Stamford Public School Calendar)
Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday - 3-year-old program – Sess. 01
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday – 4-year-old program – Sess. 02
Time: 9:15AM – 12:15PM
$4,400.00 per year ( 3-Year-olds / 3 times per week ) Can be paid in 4 payments of $1,1100.00
$5,700.00 per year ( 4-year-olds / 4 times per week ) Can be paid in 4 payments of $1,425.00
A $500.00 Non - refundable deposit is due at the time of registration & the deposit will be deducted from your final payment. Registration is open until the program fills and begins on December 1, 2025 at the recreation office.
Instructors: Beth Covino, Preschool Instructor & Victoria Eldridge, Preschool Instructor
Our exciting preschool program specifically designed for 3- and 4-year old's. Children will gain independence and self-confidence in our play-based approach to early learning focused on socialization and cooperation. This hands on, active environment will encourage exploration and discovery. Activities will include creative expression, dramatic play, music and movement, large and small motor activities, early literacy, sensory activities, math readiness and outdoor play. We also offer a “Lunch Bunch” option for students two days a week that will extend the school day until 1:30pm on those assigned days. Families will be required to sign up on a monthly basis and pay in advance. This will begin in October 2026 and run through June 2027 for the four-year-old program. The Lunch bunch will also be available to the three year olds starting in January of 2027. To schedule a visit call 203-977-5018 or @Skassouf@stamfordct.gov All students registering for the program must be 3 years old by October 1, 2026 to be eligible for the program but may be flexible!

The 25th Annual Hay Ride With Santa at Cove Island Park
Tickets Go on Sale November 3, 2025 online at 8:30am!
Where: Cove Island Park - Ride starts by the Pavilion.
When: Saturday, December 6, 2025 - Day 1
Saturday, December 13, 2025 -Day 2
Time: 10:00AM -1:00PM & 2:00PM - 4:00PM - Both Dates
Fee: $8.00 per person (all riders must have a ticket)
Staff: SANTA, and The Recreation Services Staff
Come join us for the 25th Annual Hayride with Santa at Cove Island Park. This wonderful family event is open to Stamford residents. Bring the family or come with friends, and enjoy a horse drawn trip around Cove Island Park. Santa will sing holiday songs with the children and at the end of each ride they will get to sit on Santa’s lap and receive a small treat. After the ride, participants can enjoy holiday music, cookies, and cocoa under the decorated pavilion. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday event. Let us help your children create memories that last a lifetime. Tickets must be purchased in advance for this event and will go on sale November 3, 2025, the event has sold out for the past 24 years. Note: Tickets will be sold per half hour slot and there will be a maximum of 26 tickets per ride sold. A max of 10 tickets per family may be purchased and no tickets will be sold the day of the event. Tickets will once again be sold online this year.
Where: Cove Island Park - Ride starts by the Pavilion.
When: Saturday, December 6, 2025 - Day 1
Saturday, December 13, 2025 -Day 2
Time: 10:00AM -1:00PM & 2:00PM - 4:00PM - Both Dates
Fee: $8.00 per person (all riders must have a ticket)
Staff: SANTA, and The Recreation Services Staff
Come join us for the 25th Annual Hayride with Santa at Cove Island Park. This wonderful family event is open to Stamford residents. Bring the family or come with friends, and enjoy a horse drawn trip around Cove Island Park. Santa will sing holiday songs with the children and at the end of each ride they will get to sit on Santa’s lap and receive a small treat. After the ride, participants can enjoy holiday music, cookies, and cocoa under the decorated pavilion. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday event. Let us help your children create memories that last a lifetime. Tickets must be purchased in advance for this event and will go on sale November 3, 2025, the event has sold out for the past 24 years. Note: Tickets will be sold per half hour slot and there will be a maximum of 26 tickets per ride sold. A max of 10 tickets per family may be purchased and no tickets will be sold the day of the event. Tickets will once again be sold online this year.

Plan your kids Birthday with Stamford Recreation
Reach out to us for your next party!

Ski Bums Friday Night Program (Gr. 4 -9 )
Ski Bums Friday Night Program (Gr. 4 -9 )
Registration starts online November 3, 2025, at 8:30am!
Where: Thunder Ridge Ski Area
When:
Friday, January 9, 2026 - Sess. 01
Friday, January 23, 2026- Sess. 02
Friday, February 6, 2026- Sess. 03
Friday, February 20, 2026 - Sess. 04
Departure: 4:00PM from the Government Center
Return: 10:00PM at the Government Center Lobby
Fee: $55.00 per trip for lift ticket & transportation per trip
$50.00 per person extra for ski rentals per trip
Description: Back this winter by popular demand for the seventeenth season! This Friday night ski program is open to students grades 4 through 9 and will be offered on four Friday evenings this winter. We will travel to Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson New York to enjoy an evening of skiing and/or snow boarding. Ski rentals are also available. Students can pack a meal for each trip or bring spending money and enjoy dinner at the ski lodge. What a great way for your child to spend a Friday night with friends! We travel by Coach Bus! If a trip is canceled due to poor weather conditions we will try to reschedule for another date. Registration Begins November 3rd, 2025!! Refunds are not granted for anyone that misses a trip unless it meets the city refund policy on page two.
Registration starts online November 3, 2025, at 8:30am!
Where: Thunder Ridge Ski Area
When:
Friday, January 9, 2026 - Sess. 01
Friday, January 23, 2026- Sess. 02
Friday, February 6, 2026- Sess. 03
Friday, February 20, 2026 - Sess. 04
Departure: 4:00PM from the Government Center
Return: 10:00PM at the Government Center Lobby
Fee: $55.00 per trip for lift ticket & transportation per trip
$50.00 per person extra for ski rentals per trip
Description: Back this winter by popular demand for the seventeenth season! This Friday night ski program is open to students grades 4 through 9 and will be offered on four Friday evenings this winter. We will travel to Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson New York to enjoy an evening of skiing and/or snow boarding. Ski rentals are also available. Students can pack a meal for each trip or bring spending money and enjoy dinner at the ski lodge. What a great way for your child to spend a Friday night with friends! We travel by Coach Bus! If a trip is canceled due to poor weather conditions we will try to reschedule for another date. Registration Begins November 3rd, 2025!! Refunds are not granted for anyone that misses a trip unless it meets the city refund policy on page two.

Columbus Day Program
Columbus Day School Break Program (Gr. K - 5)
Recreation Star Center, 1170 Shippan Ave
October 13, 2025
Monday
8:00AM – 5:00PM
$55.00 per child per section
Instructor: Recreation Staff Schools are closed, and your parents need to work! Come join us and enjoy a day filled gym games, sports, arts and crafts and more. Students need to bring a bagged lunch, and a snack will be provided. Space is limited for each program, so don’t wait!
Junior Engineering Program Columbus Day (Ages 5 - 12)
Recreation Star Center, 1170 Shippan Ave
October 13, 2025
Monday
9:00AM - 3:00PM
$48.00 per child
Instructor: CT Computer Education staff
If you have a learner who likes building things and figuring out how things work, they will love this class. Join us as we explore, investigate, & solve problems while we learn about the building blocks of engineering-simple machines. Students will work through building models that demonstrate mechanical and physical engineering. Learning projects may include: a dragon, scale, clown, crane, car, scale, fan, merry-go-round and free building. No Lego’s will be taken home. Pictures will be e-mailed home. Students must be currently in Kindergarten.
Recreation Star Center, 1170 Shippan Ave
October 13, 2025
Monday
8:00AM – 5:00PM
$55.00 per child per section
Instructor: Recreation Staff Schools are closed, and your parents need to work! Come join us and enjoy a day filled gym games, sports, arts and crafts and more. Students need to bring a bagged lunch, and a snack will be provided. Space is limited for each program, so don’t wait!
Junior Engineering Program Columbus Day (Ages 5 - 12)
Recreation Star Center, 1170 Shippan Ave
October 13, 2025
Monday
9:00AM - 3:00PM
$48.00 per child
Instructor: CT Computer Education staff
If you have a learner who likes building things and figuring out how things work, they will love this class. Join us as we explore, investigate, & solve problems while we learn about the building blocks of engineering-simple machines. Students will work through building models that demonstrate mechanical and physical engineering. Learning projects may include: a dragon, scale, clown, crane, car, scale, fan, merry-go-round and free building. No Lego’s will be taken home. Pictures will be e-mailed home. Students must be currently in Kindergarten.

Next Generation Skateboarding
Activities
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